Baby Health Advice

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I like to chat with other moms on BabyCenter and lately Ive seen a lot of questions from parents having to do with baby poop (or the lack of it!). Its also a popular topic among the calls we get on the Neocate help line. No wonder EUR when babies have milk allergies and other GI issues, theres can be a lot going on in that diaper. Every child is different, but here are some general guidelines that we thought might help. Remember, if you have any concerns, it is always best to check in with your doctors.

What to expect if you are:

• Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding your baby, a mustard yellow color is common and it may be seedy and runny. You can also expect to be changing a lot of diapers, because babies usually poop a lot before they reach the one month mark!
• Formula feeding: Formula fed babies usually have firmer poops, with a peanut butter-like consistency. Normal colors range from brown to green to yellow.

It might be an allergic/GI condition if you see:

• Mucous EUR This looks like what comes out of your nose and is sticky when you open the diaper. A little bit can be normal, but if you see a lot and for an extended period of time, it can be a sign of a food allergy.
• Diarrhea EUR If your baby is having runnier than normal poops 2-4 times per day for more than 5 days, this is a sign that something is wrong.
• Blood EUR Red or black poops can both be a sign of blood in the digestive tract and are often signs of an allergy or uncontrolled reflux.

Note: Remember that some babies milk protein allergy exhibits itself in other ways, like eczema, extreme fussiness or reflux. A baby with a milk protein allergy might have just one of these symptoms or any combination of them. If you see any of the symptoms, talk with your childs pediatrician.What to expect from an elemental formula (like Neocate):

• When babies first start on an elemental diet such as Neocate, it may take up to 2-3 weeks for their systems to adjust and have consistent stools. If they seem to be constipated, massaging your babys belly or moving their legs around can help get things moving.
• Also, Neocate babies often have poops that can change in consistency and color when they first start on the formula. This is because Neocate is a low residue formula. Low residue formulas lower the number of bacteria in the gut leading to reduced breakdown of bile. More bile is present in the poop making it darker in color.

Any other questions? Give us a shout!-Sarah